Robert-Jan Broer

Fratello Watches, WatchTime.com

COUNTRY

Netherlands

ABOUT

Even though I am born in the quartz era (1977) and grew up in the digital 1980s and 1990s, my interest in watches was there all the time. I grew up with Casio G-Shock and Swatch watches, but was always fascinated by design and their (digital) features. My interest in mechanical watches really sparked when I learned about the watch that was used by NASA for their astronauts. In 1999 being a student, I sold my first car to be able to fund a perfect example of an Omega Speedmaster Professional from 1967 with a column wheel movement. Ever since, I've been collecting and learning about watches every single day.

In 2004 I started the Fratello Watches blog to share my ideas and opinions about watches and the watch industry with a wide audience. It has grown out to be a very popular digital hangout for watch enthusiasts and its content matured a lot over the last 10 years. With a team of four people currently, we work on content for Fratello Watches on a daily basis.

In the meanwhile, I've written for many publications, both digital and in print and together with our team we've hosted a couple of watch events for enthusiasts worldwide. We are always on the hunt for interesting stories on watches, watch collectors and the watch industry and its consumers, using our own unique way of showing and reporting it to our readers.

Just recently I celebrated the 10th anniversary of Fratello Watches by buying a very rare yellow gold Omega Speedmaster Professional Apollo XI from 1980. It is identical to the watch on the wrist of NASA's astronaut Thomas P. Stafford when I met him last year and discussed watches and the Apollo programme with him.

Robert-Jan Broer

Fratello Watches, WatchTime.com

COUNTRY

Netherlands

ABOUT

Even though I am born in the quartz era (1977) and grew up in the digital 1980s and 1990s, my interest in watches was there all the time. I grew up with Casio G-Shock and Swatch watches, but was always fascinated by design and their (digital) features. My interest in mechanical watches really sparked when I learned about the watch that was used by NASA for their astronauts. In 1999 being a student, I sold my first car to be able to fund a perfect example of an Omega Speedmaster Professional from 1967 with a column wheel movement. Ever since, I've been collecting and learning about watches every single day.

In 2004 I started the Fratello Watches blog to share my ideas and opinions about watches and the watch industry with a wide audience. It has grown out to be a very popular digital hangout for watch enthusiasts and its content matured a lot over the last 10 years. With a team of four people currently, we work on content for Fratello Watches on a daily basis.

In the meanwhile, I've written for many publications, both digital and in print and together with our team we've hosted a couple of watch events for enthusiasts worldwide. We are always on the hunt for interesting stories on watches, watch collectors and the watch industry and its consumers, using our own unique way of showing and reporting it to our readers.

Just recently I celebrated the 10th anniversary of Fratello Watches by buying a very rare yellow gold Omega Speedmaster Professional Apollo XI from 1980. It is identical to the watch on the wrist of NASA's astronaut Thomas P. Stafford when I met him last year and discussed watches and the Apollo programme with him.